Javier Rivas is Emerging as a Sleeper in the Pirates Farm System

“RIVAS!!!”

One of the biggest surprises in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system this year has come from 19-year-old shortstop Javier Rivas.

The Pirates sent Rivas to the Florida Complex League this year, where he’s hitting for a .268/.344/.430 line in 160 plate appearances. Wilbur Miller has had several chances to see him for this site, and every report he’s passed along has raved about the hitting and fielding abilities from Rivas, recently picking him as a second half guy to watch.

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The performances are also being noticed inside the organization.

“Rivas has turned some heads,” said Pirates farm director John Baker. “In fact, I got a message from our international scouting director the other day with his name in all caps with exclamation points after it, excited by how he’s playing.”

Junior Vizcaino, the Pirates’ international scouting director, signed Rivas in July 2019 as one of the top position players from the class. Rivas made his debut in the DSL last year, but didn’t hit at all, batting .133/.214/.173. It’s been a different story this year.

The numbers from Rivas this year don’t scream off the page, but come with the disclaimer that the FCL is one of the most pitcher friendly environments. The fact Rivas is putting up solid numbers here, after struggling last year, is a really good sign.

“That’s what those leagues are for,” said Baker. “You have to try to give all of those potentially really talented young players enough time to see who emerges as guys who do well in the game.”

Rivas has played second, third, and shortstop, looking solid defensively at each position. Most of his time has come at short, and his secondary position has been third base. He’s always been a guy who was projected to stick at shortstop, due to his smooth movements, athleticism, and good hands. Every organization wants to develop shortstop prospects who can hit, and Rivas is emerging as a sleeper in this system to follow that path.

“He’s just gone on to earn more and more opportunity for himself, and he sees those opportunities,” said Baker. “All credit where credit is due, and it goes to the kid for putting himself on the map.”